Domino-like game pieces

ABSTRACT

A game set including a plurality of rectangular game pieces each having a face divided into guadrants. One pair of diagonally opposite quadrants of all of the game pieces are of a first color while the other pair of diagonally opposite quadrants on each game piece are of a second color. Some of the quadrants are blank while others are provided with spot markings ranging from one to six. The combination of the blank and number-marked quadrants on the game pieces is varied so that all game pieces are different. Two special embodiments of the game set are disclosed for use by blind players. In one embodiment, diagonally opposite quadrants of each game piece have matching surface finishes detectable by sense of feel which are different from similar matching surface finishes on the other pair of diagonally opposite quadrants of each game piece. In the other embodiment, a first diagonally opposite pair of game piece quadrants on each piece is at a first surface elevation while the other diagonally opposite pair of quadrant surface portions on each piece is at a different surface elevation from the first pair of quadrant surface portions so that a blind player can detect the difference between opposite pairs by feel.

United States Patent Kerr [151 3,688,866 [451 Aug. 1,1972

[54] DOMINO-LIKE GAME PIECES [72] Ave., Dallas, Tex. 75224 Filed: Sept. 28, 1970 Appl. No.: 75,863

U.S. Cl. 273/137 D, 273/DIG. 27 Int. Cl. A63f 9/20 Field of Search ..273/137, 152, 152.1, 152.4,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 253,8.95 2/1882 Sheldon ..273/152.4l 832,576 10/1906 Gifford 273/152 R 4/1928 Hardenstein ..273/137 D FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 519,336 3/1940 Great Britain ..273/l52.41 424,618 1/1935 Great Britain ..273/l52.4l

Primary Examiner-Delbert B. Lowe Attorney-H. Mathews Garland Inventor.: Edward L. Kerr, 1143 Brunner a mam maar) maar msm [57] ABSTRACT A game set including a plurality of rectangular game pieces each having a face divided into guadrants. One pair of diagonally opposite quadrants lof all of the game pieces are of a first color while the other pair of diagonally opposite quadrants on each game piece are of a second color. Some of the quadrants are blank while others are provided with spot markings ranging from one to six. The combination of the blank and number-marked quadrants on the game pieces is varied so that all game pieces are different, Two special embodiments ofthe gameset are disclosed for use by blind players. In one embodiment, diagonally opposite quadrants of each game piece have matching surface nishes detectable by sense of feel which are different from similar matching surface finishes on the other pair of diagonally opposite quadrants of each game piece. In the other embodiment, a first diagonally opposite pair -of game piece quadrants on each piece is at a rst surface elevation while the other diagonally opposite pair of quadrant surface portions on each piece is at a different surface elevation from the first pair of quadrant surface portions so that a blind player can detect the difference between opposite pairs by feel.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures i am aa was v SS PAENTEDws 1 |912 Fig@ INVENTOR Edward L Kerr vBY ATTORNEY DOMINO-LIKE GAME PIECES This invention relates to games and more particularly relates to a game set of the domino type.

ln accordance with the invention, a game set is provided which includes a selected number of game pieces, each of which is preferably rectangular in shape and has a surface divided into rectangular quadrant portions. Corresponding diagonally opposite pairs of the quadrant surface portions of all of the game pieces are finished in matching colors or surface finishes, or are in different planes. One pair on each piece differs from the other pair so that one diagonal pair of quadrants is readily distinguishable from the other diagonal pair of quadrants on each of the game pieces. Each quadrant, in addition to a surface identifying characteristic, also has a further identifying characteristic which preferably symbolizes a number selected from a defined series. For example, the second identifying characteristic may simply be a plane surface referred to as a"blank symbolizing a zero, while other quadrant surface portions are selectively marked with one of a number series, such as from l to 6, by the use of spaced spot markings of the conventional domino type. Selected different combinations of the secondary markings are used on each of the game pieces of the set. .Both the quadrant surface character and number symbol on each quadrant are considered in making plays with the game set. A variety of games can be playedA with each set including games resembling traditional dominoes and 42. The provision of the four surface portions and the contrasting markings of diagonal quadrant pairs affords substantial flexibility and interest. The game pieces may each be formed of a wide variety of materials and finishes.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more thoroughly appreciated and understood from the following description of one game set embodying the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one complete set of game pieces embodying the invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are views of selected first play scoring game pieces; y

FIG. 5 shows selected game pieces disposed to illustrate special bonus score plays available in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view of selected game pieces illustrating several plays in a domino game in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred set of 28 game pieces surface color coded in diagonally opposite quadrant pairs and marked by selected symbols comprisingspaced spot combinations and blank surfaces in accordance with the invention. Each of the game pieces is generally rectangular with one face marked to divide it into four substantially equal rectangular quadrant surface portions or fields. Each diagonally opposed pair of quadrant surface portions has matching surface characteristics which are either color coded or surface finished to be identified visually or by feel and contrasting with the other diagonally opposed quadrant surface pair. For example, in FIG. 1 the game piece 11 has diagonally opposed quadrant surface portions 11a and 1 1b which have matching surface characteristics, while the other pair of diagonally opposed quadrant surface portions llc and 11d are also finished in matching surface characteristics providing an identifiable contrast with the surfaces on the quadrant pair 11a and 1lb. lt will be apparent that the game pieces may be prepared and surface coded for use by the blind and poor-sighted persons by preparing the quadrant surfaces so that they are readily identifiable by a sense of feel. For example, the quadrants 11a and 11b may be finished with a smooth surface, while quadrants llc and 11d may be stppled or otherwise roughened to provide a feel-sensitive surface contrast with the quadrants lla and 1lb. The quadrant pairs may, for example, be black and white, respectively, or any other readily sight recognizable contrasting colors. All corresponding quadrant pairs on all the game pieces in a set are one color while all the other quadrant pairs are the other color. Two colors are used in a set. In addition to the surface coding of the diagonally opposed quadrant surface pairs on each game piece, selected symbols which may be number indicia and combinations of number indicia comprising spaced spots are provided on the surface quadrant portions. Some quadrants may be left blank which shall be considered as the symbol for zero (0). The particular set of 28 playing pieces shown are marked to permit maximum flexibility in the several games playable with the set of pieces.

The particular marking pattern used in the set of FIG. 1 includes in row A seven game pieces having colored diagon-al quadrant portions marked consecutively, beginning with the game piece 11, 6 6, 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, and 6-0, while the diagonal white quadrant portions of the respective playing pieces are consecutivelymarked 0 0, 0-1, 1 2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6. The game pieces in row A may be referred to as the Colored 6 series. Row B is the six-piece Colored 5 series with colored diagonal quadrants marked consecutively 5 5, 5-4, through 5 0, with the diagonal white quadrants being marked 1 1, 0-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, and 4-6, respectively. The Colored 4 series in row C includes five game pieces marked 4 4 through 4-0, while the white quadrants are, respectively, marked 2 2, 0-3, 1-4, 25, and 3-6. Row D includes four game pieces comprising the Colored 3 series in which the colored quadrants are marked 3 3 through 3-0 in descending order. The white quadrants'in the 3 series are, respectively, marked 3 3, 0-4, 1-5, and 2-6. Row E includes three game pieces forming the 2 series in which the colored quadrants are marked 2 2, 2l, and 2-0, while the respective corresponding white quadrants are marked 4 4, 0-5, and 1-6. In Row F two game pieces are included forming the 1 series in which the colored quadrants are marked 1 1 and 1-0, while the respective white quadrants are marked 5 5 and 0-6. Row G includes one game piece in which the colored quadrants are 0, while the white quadrants are marked 6 6.

One game to which the game piece set is particularly suited resembles the well-known, conventional domino game. The game pieces are all placed face down on a surface with the plain backs of the pieces facing upwardly so that the pieces are shuffled to thoroughly mix them. Each player then draws seven game pieces, leaving any excess in a pool to be drawn from in the event a player is unable to play a piece from those he has drawn when his playing turn arrives. The first player may select any playing piece he desires to position face up on the playing surface to start the series of plays comprising the game. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate typical first play pieces which score in the gaine. The playing piece 18, FIG. 2, when played first establishes a score of 10, which is calculated on the basis of adding together the 5s in the two colored quadrants of the piece. The two ls in the white quadrants total only 2 and thus provide no white quadrant score.

Another first play game piece 26 which produces a score is shown in FIG. 3. This game piece has white quadrants marked 4-1, which produces a score of 5, while the colored quadrants marked 4-2 do not add to 5 or a multiple thereof and thus produce no score. The game piece 23 shown in FIG. 4 is used as a scoring first play piece providing a total score of l5, calculated on the basis of the total of the markings 6-4 on the white quadrants to produce a score of l0, added to the total of the markings 5 0 on the colored quadrants producing a score of 5, which for scoring purposes is added to the total on the white quadrants. Only the scores on like surface quadrants are added to produce 5 or a multiple thereof, as in the instance of the playing piece 23, where a score is obtainable from each pair of like quadrants, the scores for both pairs of quadrants being added together to produce a total score obtainable from the game piece. It will be apparent that a first play game piece on which the total of the markings on each pair of quadrants does not amount to 5, or a multiple thereof, will obtain no score. For example, if playing piece 28, shown in row C of FIG. 1, is played, neither the colored quadrants marked 4-0 nor the white quadrants marked 6-3 total 5 or a multiple thereof, and thus the game piece will produce no score.

After an opening play is made by placing the first game piece on the playing surface, the game is continued by positioning succeeding game pieces adjacent to previously played pieces, matching like surface quadrants and number symbols on such quadrants. Thus, a specific number on a colored quadrant may be placed only against the same number on the same color quadrant in an adjacent game piece, and it follows that on adjacent white quadrants only the same numbers may be matched.

The scoring of the game follows the somewhat traditional domino pattern with certain additional bonus features added as made possible by the unique features of this game set. As play progresses and as in conventional dominoes, only the end quadrants of the game pieces are available for scoring as in conventional dominoes. Such end quadrants shall be referred to from time to time herein as the exposed" quadrants to distinguish them from the inside adjacent quadrants where two pieces are played next to each other and thus such quadrants are covered and not available as end or exposed quadrants for scoring purposes. These scoring patterns will become more evident and uriderstandable from the following descriptions of various patterns of play as described in detail in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6.

An especially novel feature of the present set of game pieces and games playable therewith is the capability of double matching by making a play which shall be referred to as a match-up wherein white and colored quadrants of one game piece are matched with like white and colored quadrants of an adjacent game piece, as distinguished from the single matching of one quadrant of a game piece with a corresponding quadrant of an adjacent game piece. This bonus score feature is illustrated in both its single and double senses in FIG. 5. Presuming, for example, that the piece 18 is initially played, providing the player with a score of 1.0 based upon the colored double 5 markings on the piece, the next play may be the piece 12. In playing piece 12 the 1-spot in the white quadrant portion is matched with the l-spot in the white quadrant portion of piece 18, while the 5-spot marking on the colored quadrant portion of the piece l2 is matched with the corresponding colored 5spot quadrant on the piece 18. This match-up between the piece 12 and the piece 18 provides the player of the piece 12 with a bonus score of 5. The next player positions the piece 20 in a second match-up relationship with the piece 18 so that the other 5spot colored quadrant of the piece 18 matches the 5spot colored quadrant of the piece 20, and the other l-spot white quadrant of the piece 18 is matched by the l-spot white quadrant of the piece 20. The playing of the piece 20 creates a double match-up relationship with the piece 18 when the piece 20 is considered in cooperation with the piece l2. The player having the opportunity to position the piece 20 creating the double match-up relationship is given a bonus score of 10 points. These bonus scores are in addition to any scores which may be made based on the total count of the exposed end colored and white quadrant portions. In the plays represented in FIG. 5 only match-up" bonus points were obtained in placing the pieces 12 and 20 against the piece 18.

FIG. 6 shows eight game pieces sequentially positioned in a series of eight plays. In the series of plays represented in FIG. 6, each game piece is identified by the same reference numeral identifying the piece in the complete set in FIG. 1, while the number in parentheses following the reference numeral for the gaine piece identifies the play order sequence in which the particular game piece was positioned on the playing surface. Game piece 36 was played first, providing a spinner, giving the player a score of 10 calculated on the basis of the addition of the 5-spots on the pair of white quadrant surface portions. The two l-spot markings on the colored quadrants total only 2, and thus do not produce a score. In the second play the piece 16 is positioned in match-up relationship against the piece 36. The white quadrant with 5 spots of the piece 16 is placedl against the upper left white 5- spot quadrant of the piece 36 with the colored lspot quadrant of the piece 16 next to the lower left colored l-spot quadrant of the piece 36. The match-up relationship gives the second play a bonus score of 5 points. The second play produces no score otherwise as the exposed colored quadrants of the pieces 16 and 36 total 7, while the exposed white quadrants of these pieces total 9, neither of which totals produces a score.

In the third play the game piece 17 is placed next to and on the n'ght side of the game piece 36, with color and number match between the white 5spot quadrant of the piece 17 and the lower right white 5spot quadrant of the piece 36. In scoring the third play the exposed colored quadrants of the pieces 16 and 17 are 6 and 0, respectively, producing a total of 6, giving no score on the colored quadrants, while the exposed white quadrants of the pieces 16 and 17 show 4 and 6, respectively, providing a total of 10, thereby giving a total score of l for the third play.

In the fourth play the game piece 38 is placed next to l the right end of the game piece 17 with the white 6spot score of l0. The total score for play four is 15, based on a quadrant score of l0 and a match-up bonus score of 5.

In the fth play the game piece 34 is placed against and below the game piece 36 with the 5spot white quadrant of the game piece 34 matching the lower right spot white quadrant of the game piece 36. The score for the fifth play is based on the total of the exposed quadrant portions of the game pieces 16, 34, and 38, which show colored quadrants of 6 on piece 16, 2 on piece 34, and 0 on piece 38, for a total spot count of 8 for the coloredv quadrants, producing no score for such quadrants. The total of the white quadrants in play five are 4 on piece 16, 0 on piece 34, and 6 on piece 38, providing a total score on the white quadrants of 10, thereby giving a total score of l0 for the fifth play.

In the sixth play the game piece 12 is placed against the game piece 16 with the colored 6-spot quadrants of the two game pieces in matching relationship. To score the sixth play the exposed quadrant portions of the pieces 12, 34, and 38 are totalled. The colored 5spot quadrant on the piece 12, plus the colored 2-spot quadrant on the piece 34, plus the 0 colored quadrant of thepiece 38 provide a spot count total of 7, producing no score for the colored quadrants. The total of the white quadrants is 1 on the piece 12, 0 on the piece 34, and 6 on the piece 38, providing a total of 7 which gives no score. Thus, the sixth play produced no score either by way of quadrant totals or match-up bonus points. It is to be particularly noted in connection with a play of this type that thev white 4-spot quadrant of the game piece 16 is not totalled in calculating the score for the sixth play inasmuch as the placing of the game piece 12 at the end of game piece 16 eliminated both the white and colored quadrants 4 and 6, respectively, of the game piece 16 from consideration in figuring the score for the sixth play, even though in placing the game piece 12 against the game piece 16 the 6spot colored quadrants were matched, leaving the 4-spot white quadrant of the game piece 16 exposed. Thus, only quadrant scores on exposed end game pieces are counted.

In play seven the game piece 32 is placed in matchup relationship along the right Side of the game piece 38 with the colored blank of the piece 32 in matching relationship with the upper right colored blank of the piece 38 and the white 6spot quadrant of the 'piece 32 in matching relationship with the lower right white 6- spot quadrant of the piece 38. This produces double match-up bonus points of since the game piece 17 is already in a"matchup relationship and the playing of the game piece 32 provides the ,double match-up relationship with the piece 38, thus giving play seven double match-up" points of l0. The total quadrant points are: colored quadrants, 3 on piece 32, 2 on piece 34, and on piece 12, totaling lO; and white quadrants, 2 on piece 32, 0 on piece 34, and 1 on piece 12, giving no score for white quadrants. Thus, play seven produced double match-up bonus points of l0 and colored quadrant total points of l0 for a grand total of 20 points for the play.

For play eight piece 22 is placed against piece 36 with the white 5spot quadrant of piece 22 matching the upper left white 5spot quadrant of piece 36. The score for play eight for the white quadrants is: 3 on piece 22, 1 on piece 12, 0 on piece 34, and 2 on piece 32, for a total of 6, producing no white quadrant score. The colored quadrant score for play eight is: 5 on piece 22, 5 on piece 12, 2 on piece 34, and 3 on piece 32, providing a total colored quadrant score of 15, and thus a grand total of l5 for play eight. Thus, sub-total quadrant scores are found only by adding like end or exposed quadrants which must total 5 or a multiple thereof. A total for a play is then found by adding the quadrant sub-totals. Unlike quadrants, colored and white or quadrants of different surface nishes, cannot be added together to determine if a 5 or multiple thereof has been scored on a play. Stated otherwise, in scoring all end or exposed quadrants of a given color or surface finish are added together to determine each sub-total quadrant score and such sub-total quadrant scores for the different or unlike groups of end or exposed quadrants are then added together for the total quadrant score. Unlike quadrants in scoring cannot be intermixed for purposes of arriving at a quadrant total which is a multiple of ve.

Play continues with both color matching and spot number matching until a player has placed his last game piece on the playing surface. When a particular player dominoes, exhausting his supply of game pieces, he receives as an additional score the total of the number of spots on the game pieces remaining in the hands of the other players on the quadrants of such playing pieces corresponding to the color series of the game piece with which he exhausted his hand. For example, in reference to FIG. 6, if the play eight involved the use of the players last game piece in his hand, he would get a final bonus score based on the total of the white quadrant spots of his opponents as the playing piece 22 making the play eight was matched, white quadrant to white quadrant, with the playing piece 36. If the last piece played by a player is a match-up play, using both colors in matching relationship, such player will be given a score based on the total spots of both color quadrants of his opponents.

The well-known game of 42 is playable with the game pieces described and illustrated herein, the principal variation from the conventional 42 game residing in the color choice available to the players. Each player has a single chance as in the conventional game with the highest bidder, however, announcing his trumps in his selected color.

While a set of 28 playing pieces with a particular combination of quadrant colors and spots has been described and illustrated, it will be evident that numerous other combinations are mathematically possible within the number of pieces suggested, in addition to the fact that additional game pieces may be included in the set, as well as the use of a larger number of spots on the quadrants. For example, the maximum quadrant spot number may be increased to nine or to 12 with corresponding increases in the number of game pieces comprising a set. The two pairs of diagonally opposite quadrant surfaces may be differentiated by a difference in elevation rather than by surface finish characteristics. One set of diagonally opposite surface quadrants may be at a given elevation while the other set of quadrants on the game piece are in a common plane at a slightly different elevation. Also, identifiable surface indicia, such as various symbols, may be used in lieu of the blank surfaces and spots shown and described herein. For use by children, animal pictures and other symbols may be used on the quadrant surfaces. Thus, the invention resides in the new and novel concept of the use of game pieces having four surface quadrants with one diagonally opposed pair of quadrants on all pieces having a first identifying characteristic, which may be a corresponding finish, color, or elevation, and the other pairs of diagonally opposed surfaces on all pieces being similarly marked with a different characteristic. Additionally, each quadrant surface has a second characteristic, which may be a blank surface or a selected symbol.

The number of game pieces in a set and the quadrant surface characteristics on the quadrant surfaces are varied as desired. Also, it will be further recognized and understood that while color coding and references to colored quadrants and white quadrants are made in the preceding discussion, the only requirement with respect to the first characteristic of surface quadrants necessary in the invention is the ability to distinguish between these quadrants to identify matching diagonally opposed quadrants. Thus, one set of quadrants may be one color while the other diagonally opposed quadrants may be of another color. One set of quadrants may have one type of surface finish while the other set of quadrants may have a different type of surface finish, the pairs of quadrants being distinguishable either visually or by sense of touch or in both ways. A less preferred and flexible game set may include game pieces divided into four quadrants with each quadrant identified only by selected symbols without the identifiable first surface characteristics, such as color, surface finish, or elevation. In scoring such game pieces, all quadrants would be added together.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A game set comprising a plurality of game pieces of the domino type, each of said game pieces being substantially rectangular and having a surface divided into quadrants, a first diagonally opposite pair of said quadrants on each of said game pieces being of a first color, the other diagonally opposite pair of said quadrants on each of said game pieces being of a second color, and each of said quadrants on each of said game pieces having an identifiable characteristic selected from a defined sequence of number symbols, including a blank surface signifying zero and selected spaced spot markings, each symbolizing a selected number in said sequence, the combination of number symbols being different on each of said game piece surfaces.

2. A game set in accordance with claim l wherein said number sequence ranges from one to six.

3. A game set in accordance with claim 2 wherein said game set comprises 28 of said game pieces.

4. A game set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said number sequence ranges from one to nine.

5. A game set in accordance with claim l wherein said number sequence ranges from one to l2.

6. A game set in accordance with claim 1 wherein one pair of said diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions of each of said game pieces is in a first plane and the other pair of diagonally opposite quadrant-surface portions of each of said game pieces is in a second plane along said game piece spaced from said first plane whereby said quadrant surface portion pairs are distinguishable from each other by feel.

7. A game set comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular game pieces, each having a surface divided into four portions, each of said portions comprising a quadrant of said surface, each of said portions having at least one of a selected sequence of identifying characteristics, said identifying characteristic on each of said surface portions representing a number selected from a series sequence, the particular combination of surface portion-identifying characteristics being different on the surface of each of said game pieces in said set, diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions on each of said game pieces having matching surface features other than said number-identifying characteristics, said matching surface features on one pair of said diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions on each of said game pieces having a first surface finish detectable by feel, said matching surface features on the other pair of said diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions on each of said game pieces having a second surface finish detectable by feel, said first and second surface finishes being different from each other and distinguishable from each other by feel. 

1. A game set comprising a plurality of game pieces of the domino type, each of said game pieces being substantially rectangular and having a surface divided into quadrants, a first diagonally opposite pair of said quadrants on each of said game pieces being of a first color, the other diagonally opposite pair of said quadrants on each of said game pieces being of a second color, and each of said quadrants on each of said game pieces having an identifiable characteristic selected from a defined sequence of number symbols, including a blank surface signifying zero and selected spaced spot markings, each symbolizing a selected number in said sequence, the combination of number symbols being different on each of said game piece surfaces.
 2. A game set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said number sequence ranges from one to six.
 3. A game set in accordance with claim 2 wherein said game set comprises 28 of said game pieces.
 4. A game set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said number sequence ranges from one to nine.
 5. A game set in accordance with claim 1 wherein said number sequence ranges from one to
 12. 6. A game set in accordance with claim 1 wherein one pair of said diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions of each of said game pieces is in a first plane and the other pair of diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions of each of said game pieces is in a second plane along said game piece spaced from said first plane whereby said quadrant surface portion pairs are distinguishable from each other by feel.
 7. A game set comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular game pieces, each having a surface divided into four portions, each of said portions comprising a quadrant of said surface, each of said portions having at least one of a selected sequence of identifying characteristics, said identifying characteristic on each of said surface portions representing a number selected from a series sequence, the particular combination of surface portion-identifying characteristics being different on the surface of each of said game pieces in said set, diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions on each of said game pieces having matching surface features other than said number-identifying characteristics, said matching surface features on one pair of said diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions on each of said game pieces having a first Surface finish detectable by feel, said matching surface features on the other pair of said diagonally opposite quadrant surface portions on each of said game pieces having a second surface finish detectable by feel, said first and second surface finishes being different from each other and distinguishable from each other by feel. 